Restaurants are the Nation’s Professional Training Ground, Providing Skills for a Lifetime of Success
A summer job in the restaurant industry is akin to training for the Olympics. Just as athletes preparing for Paris 2024 have honed skills that enhance their performance and strengthen their minds and bodies, those working in restaurants gain invaluable experience that propels their careers forward. For many, the skills developed in summer restaurant jobs, such as customer service, teamwork, and communication, provide a foundation for lifelong success.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s annual Eating and Drinking Place Summer Employment Forecast, restaurant operators are expected to add 525,000 jobs for the summer season. This unprecedented demand marks the second consecutive year at this level, underscoring the industry’s vital role in the employment landscape.
“Restaurant jobs are particularly valuable because employees can learn a host of skills in a short time that are investments for both their business and everyday life,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “According to our survey, among adults who have worked in the industry, a majority (63%) think working in the industry is extremely or very beneficial for skill development. Additionally, 79% of adults agree working in the restaurant industry is valuable for professional development and that they still use those skills like teamwork, prioritization, communication, adaptability, and attention to detail.”
Teenagers and young adults often return to summer restaurant jobs to refine their skills and save money quickly. Juan Martinez, owner of Martinez Hospitality, which operates five Don Juan Mex Grill restaurants in northeast Pennsylvania, receives emails every summer from college students who worked for him in high school, eager to return for the season. This arrangement benefits both the students and his full-time staff.
“The biggest impact our summer employees have is giving our full-time employees time with their families,” Martinez says. “It provides flexibility for them to take a vacation and spend time with their kids who are out of school. At the same time, it helps the college kids who are eager to make money over the summer and want to work as many hours as they can.”
The restaurant industry stands as the nation’s training ground, with 63% of adults having worked in the sector at some point in their lives. Today, one in 10 people work in foodservice, making it the nation’s second-largest private employer.
For OnionBusiness readers, many of whom grow, supply, and sell to foodservice operators, this surge in summer employment presents an opportunity. The increased workforce supports operational flexibility, enhances customer service, and sustains the dynamic nature of the restaurant industry.
Read the full Summer Employment Forecast, including a state-by-state forecast of summer jobs, here.
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